January 11, 2011

Guidance Department Restructure Beginning January 10, the Guidance Department is restructuring in order to best serve our students. One Counselor will be with an ENTIRE CLASS for ALL 4 years. For your class, Mrs. Greene will be your Counselor for the Class of 2013 for the next 2 ½ years. During your senior year you will have your class counselor (Mrs. Greene), and in addition you will have two college advisors available to you.

Overview Understanding Your PSAT Results Graduation Requirements College Requirements Choosing Classes for Next Year NCAA

Understanding your PSAT Results Scores from sophomore year are NOT sent to colleges You will take the PSAT again in your junior year Adding a ‘0’ to the end of your score will approximate a real SAT score 55 in Critical Reading =550

SF Graduation Requirements Theology 8 semesters English 8 semesters Foreign Language 4 semesters Mathematics 6 semesters P.E.4 semesters Science 6 semesters Social Studies 7 semesters Fine Arts2 semesters Health1 semester

What factors should I take into consideration when choosing a college?

College Requirements for CSU, UC & Private Colleges

California State Universities (CSU’s)

CSU Minimum Subject Requirements A - 2 years History/Social Science B - 4 years English C - 3 years Math (must complete Algebra 2) (4 recommended) D - 2 years Lab Science (3 recommended) E - 2 years of the same Foreign Language (3 recommended) F – 1 year Visual/Performing Arts (year-long course) G – 1 year Elective (approved UC/CSU courses (Philosophy & World Religions) or additional courses from A-F) A-G Courses

CSU Eligibility GPA in “A-G” college preparatory courses taken in the 10 th & 11 th grades 2.0 GPA is the minimum needed to apply ACT or SAT Reasoning Test score Visit

University of California (UC’s)

UC Minimum Subject Requirements A - 2 years History/Social Science B - 4 years English C - 3 years Math (must complete Algebra 2) (4 recommended) D - 2 years Lab Science (3 recommended) E - 2 years of the same Foreign Language (3 recommended) F – 1 year Visual/Performing Arts (year-long course) G – 1 year Elective (approved UC/CSU courses (Philosophy & World Religions) or additional courses from A-F) A-G Courses

UC Eligibility 15-course pattern (A-G courses) Very minimum GPA is 3.0 in A-G courses taken during the 10 th & 11 th grades ACT with Writing or SAT Beginning with Class of 2012 SAT Subject Tests will NOT be required; however, some UC majors may recommend SAT Subject Tests—check with the campus UC’s use 14 Selection Factors including the minimum requirements called Comprehensive Review

Private & Out of State Colleges Generally the same basic requirements as CSU and UC Each college has its course requirements on its website Private colleges or majors may require two or three SAT Subject Tests Specific departments may have special requirements for enrollment Private colleges usually count all of your classes in the GPA, including 9 th grade

College Testing Requirements SAT Reasoning ACT ACT with Writing **All colleges will accept ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning SAT Subject Tests UC campuses or majors may still want the Subject Tests Some private colleges may require Subject Tests Check with the campuses that you’re applying to

What tools are available to help me choose colleges?

What Classes Should I Take Next Year?

Typical Junior Schedule Theology: Philosophy & Church History Social Studies: US History or Honors US History English: American Literature or Honors Am. Literature Math: Geometry, Algebra 2A, Algebra 2, Hon. Alg. 2, Pre-Calculus or Hon. Precalculus Foreign Language: French, Latin, Spanish or Italian Science: Chemistry, Hon. Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Biotech, Biology II 1 semester of PE or Sport Fine Arts year-long or semester course (if not already completed) Health (if not already completed) Students must have at least 6 classes, and cannot have more than 8 classes

How necessary is it to take Honors and AP courses?

Honors/AP Courses that Earn One Extra Grade Point for UC/CSU GPA Calculations When You Earn a C or Better (up to 8 points) ALL AP Courses Honors American Literature Honors Pre-Calculus Honors Physics Honors US History Honors Spanish 3 Honors French 3 Honors Italian 4

Honors/AP courses that DO NOT Earn An Extra Grade Point for UC/CSU GPA Honors Biology Honors Chemistry Honors Geometry Honors Algebra 2 Honors Great Books (Honors English 10) *ALL colleges, including UC/CSU, look at rigor of courses taken *Statewide, UC/CSU does not give the extra grade point for Honors courses created for sophomores, regardless of the year in which the student took the course.

Honors and AP Classes Private Colleges will give the extra grade point to ALL AP and Honors courses All Honors and AP classes are worth an extra grade point when calculating the St. Francis GPA C= 3 points, B= 4points, A = 5 points Students should take the College Board AP exam. Some colleges will give you credit if you earn a high score. You can take up to 3 Honors/AP classes per semester

When Do I Register for Classes? Sophomore registration 5:00PM February 11 through 5:00PM February 18 During this week you will choose your courses on Naviance After choosing your courses take the Personality Type Inventory on Naviance February 22 through April 1: You will meet with Mrs. Greene for a pre-scheduled appointment to confirm classes and submit requested courses for scheduling

NCAA If you’re thinking about playing a sport in college you must begin looking at NCAA Requirements: Core courses GPA Test-Score Requirements

Useful Websites

Trivia Are grades from all four years of high school used in college admissions? What are A-G courses? When do I begin applying to colleges? What tools can I use to search for colleges? Where do I register for classes for next year?

Let your Troubie days be: Balanced & healthy with: Time for family Time for prayer Time for fun, learning & growth